8. Peyton Manning, 2009

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For Peyton Manning, 2009 was only slightly better than 2008 was. Manning ended up with an improved passer rating of 99.9, but his interception total went up to 16.

Once again, Manning ran the Indianapolis offense and scored 33 touchdowns on the year. It's hard to argue that Manning didn't deserve the MVP trophy, but he wasn't as awesome as he has been in other years.

7. Peyton Manning, 2003

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Make no mistake about it, Peyton Manning should have been the sole MVP in 2003. He threw for just 29 touchdowns, but he also threw just 10 interceptions, which would be the first of three years with exactly 10 picks.

Manning completed 67 percent of his passes and threw for 4,267 yards and had a 99.0 passer rating. None of these numbers are amazing, but combined, they make for one fantastic season.

6. Shaun Alexander, 2005

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I'm usually of the argument that a running back shouldn't win the MVP award, but there are always exceptions. Shaun Alexander's 2005 campaign was historic—the Seattle Seahawks star broke the record for rushing touchdowns.

Alexander's 27 touchdowns and 1,880 yards gave him one of the best rushing seasons ever. His 5.1 yards per carry is impressive, and Alexander carried the rock a ton with 370 carries on the year.

5. LaDainian Tomlinson, 2006

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LaDainian Tomlinson's 2006 season was eerily similar to Shaun Alexander's historic 2005 campaign—L.T. rushed for .1 yards per carry more, and one more touchdown. Alexander gained 65 more rushing yards on the year.

In the end, ranking Tomlinson over Alexander comes down to receiving. In 2005, Tomlinson gained 508 yards and three touchdowns through the air on 56 catches. In 2005, Alexander gained 78 receiving yards on 15 receptions.

3. Tom Brady, 2010

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According to most statistics, Tom Brady's 2007 campaign was better than his 2010 season. One stat disagrees.

Interceptions.

In 2007, Brady threw eight interceptions. In 2010, he threw just four. As any football fan knows, interceptions are key to the game, and Brady's improved touchdown-to-interception ratio was key to his placement on this list.

1. Aaron Rodgers, 2011

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It makes sense that the best passer-rating season of all time would be the best MVP season of the past 10 years, right? Aaron Rodgers barely broke Peyton Manning's 2004 mark, but he beat Manning in other ways, too.

While Manning threw 49 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2004, Rodgers threw 45 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2011. The latter is much better, and Rodgers also put up the better yards per attempt.

This is a close call, but Rodgers edges out Manning in the most important stats. Manning won in total touchdowns, but by just three total.